Kapitel 178: [Chapter 178] Object of Faith
Idalia Kendall's life was perfect until she was about 12 years old.
Idalia's father, Viscount Kendall, was a nobleman admired by many and loved his children dearly. She grew up mingling with other noble children and always heard praises for her kindness.
However, that perfection shattered shortly after she enrolled in the academy.
The cause was complex. Well, in fact, it wasn't that complex.
She was a scapegoat. Caught up in the competition of malicious children with cruel personalities.
Megara Lycandros, who seemed willing to take responsibility for anything as long as she provided a servant, feared her own schemes would be exposed to Idalia, so she pinned all the blame on her. And looking back now, it was Neris Truedoy who goaded Megara into such actions.
Neris Truedoy. A small, poor girl from a humble family. Borrowing money from relatives just to afford school.
Idalia was now halfway through graduation, but she still didn't have the cunning she had back then like Neris. Perhaps that was something only possible for children born listening to the whispers of the devil, inherently cunning and deceitful.
Betrayed by Megara and ostracized by the children, Idalia had no choice but to switch to theology. So, she had to revise her childhood plans of excelling in the regular music department and later becoming a talented musician in high society circles.
Now, she was known in high society as a particularly devout young lady.
Viscount Kendall was secretly disappointed that his daughter didn't adapt to school. Sometimes, he even hinted that his relationship with the Lycandros family soured because of her. It was unfair for Idalia, who trusted her friends and had done nothing wrong.
This Idalia came to Ulveris for a study abroad program this semester.
Originally, a special program was offered to theology students to study abroad for a semester or two at a sacred site, such as near the Papal Decree or a theological school. However, Idalia had no intention of becoming a priest even after graduating from theology. Her decision to study abroad was entirely her father's wish.
He wanted her to go and see the movements of the Papal Decree firsthand, to act as the eyes and ears of the family.
And worried that his delicate daughter might not handle the study abroad journey well on her own, Viscount Kendall assigned a capable maid to her.
Hedda Railing was a commoner but well-educated child. Despite her father's imprisonment and struggles that led to serving Viscount Kendall, she was intelligent and adept at winning others' favor, surprisingly rising to become Idalia's maid position.
Viscount Kendall knew exactly what crime his father had committed and how he had risen to the position of Viscount, but Idalia was unaware. In fact, she only learned this time that Hedda knew Neris.
"I heard that Neris was arrested for murder at Maindland. But it was so unbelievable that I didn't believe it..."
Idalia murmured in confusion. Turmoil stirred in her heart.
It was unbelievable. Neris? That girl? Becoming a duchess?
Even being accused of murder?
Having an accusation and being sentenced as a serious criminal were entirely different matters, but Idalia believed that if it was Neris, she would kill someone and get away with it.
"But it really was written like that, Miss. It seemed like a letter was sent from the palace. It seemed like they wanted her arrested and sent away..."
It was quite a feat to have seen it all in the brief moment of picking up the paper. Idalia looked at Hedda with slightly disgusted eyes.
Despite her background, Hedda played a significant role in gaining Viscount Kendall's trust. After all, she brought all the household news to the Viscount.
"So His Holiness would rather separate her from the Duke than marry her."
"I don't know. If the palace offers more money, they'll probably do as they say, and if the Duke offers more money, they'll probably arrange the marriage."
Hedda knew exactly how the Pope operated. Idalia found the mention of money distasteful and frowned.
"Anyway, this is an opportunity, Miss."
"What opportunity?"
"This is a great opportunity to impress His Holiness. Imagine how pleased he would be if we bring the criminal the palace wants to arrest right to him! It's almost like handing him a pile of money."
"He might even consider marrying her..."
"Oh well, it doesn't matter. Even if he wants to marry her, it's fine. If the bride is in our hands, the groom will be willing to pay more money. Don't you know? He's just all about the money."
Hedda couldn't believe Idalia's lack of basic calculation skills.
Idalia thought Hedda's words lacked dignity. Even if Neris was planning to marry a man who didn't suit her and was not good, would it make sense for a noble lady like Idalia to take the lead and bring her along?
Sensing Idalia's reluctance, Hedda approached her and coquettishly said, "Miss, think about it. This is for the family. Honestly, how much more money do you think Viscount can offer? You can't just spend the dowry you'll take with you in the future."
At the mention of the dowry, Idalia suddenly snapped out of her thoughts. The dowry... the dowry was crucial. Even a woman of higher status than the groom would be rejected without a dowry.
Moreover, Nelucian, whom she had always admired, was naturally of higher status than Viscount Kendall's daughter.
Seeing the change in Idalia's expression, Hedda let out a laugh.
"We're not really doing anything wrong, are we? As loyal subjects to the palace, assisting in the arrest of the criminal the palace wants is just cooperation. It's a tough job, but that's what good people do when they take the difficult path."
***
Neris quite enjoyed her temple life.
Waking up early to pray with the worshippers in the alley and taking a stroll in the courtyard made her feel at ease. The refreshing and majestic atmosphere emanating from the building dedicated to worship and reverence seemed to have a positive impact even on those without much faith.
During prayer and walks, Cladwin, who found himself by her side, seemed satisfied with her peaceful expression and asked, "Should we place this in the White Swan Castle courtyard?"
To an outsider, their conversation might have seemed like a discussion about a fairy statue placed in a courtyard rather than a temple that had stood for over a hundred years. Neris found it absurd and ignored it.
Despite enjoying temple life, the delay in news about the marriage permit was frustrating. Being in faraway Ulveris without a plan made her feel like she was wasting time.
The Duke, who seemed indifferent to the impending disaster, casually suggested, "Let's go for a walk," as sunlight pierced through the courtyard with Neris.
After a while, even after the initial "few days" mentioned by Len had passed and two more days went by, Neris took the opportunity to enter the prayer room when he was alone.
"Senior, what are you preparing?"
Len was dressed in his usual clean white attire. Kneeling and praying, he slowly rose with a clear smile, seemingly unfazed by Neris's abrupt entrance.
"What about?"
"I heard what ordinary believers are saying. That the Pope is behaving differently than before. His complexion has worsened, and he's even acting cruelly towards his attendants."
"I already told you about that. He's been getting more irritable lately."
Their conversation showed no respect for the Pope, but they paid it no mind.
"Right."
Despite pretending to be innocent and kind, as Len matured, it was clear he had developed a more sophisticated and sociable attitude. Naturally, he must have had a goal in mind.
And it seemed that his goal was not just to end up as a deputy minister.
"Senior knowing the Pope's condition isn't strange, but it's odd if ordinary believers know, especially if it's a negative change. The Pope's attendants would naturally try to hide any strange behavior from the public, especially while the senior is in Ulveris."
"Throwing a candlestick at his chief financial officer almost blinding him, of course, anyone would complain. Then the rumors spread, it's inevitable. People here love gossip, don't they?"
"So, you didn't bring in what the senior used to like before?"
Len, who had been speaking casually until now, fell silent. He smiled as if he knew Neris would understand.
That smile was the answer.
Neris sighed. It was as she had expected.
The first day they met at the academy, Len was chewing on a pejalcio. It seemed like he had sent it to Omnitus. The method of sending it... now that he was in the position of deputy minister, he could easily find it.
Pejalcio itself had a calming effect when used as a medicine, but it was highly toxic and addictive. It wasn't surprising that an addict would become more anxious and irritable than before.
"Neris, sit down."
Len pulled a chair from the corner of the prayer room and made Neris sit. Then, he knelt down and looked at her.
It wasn't a posture suitable for a deputy minister in front of a lower noble but rather one suitable for a man in front of a figure he revered... Neris's face momentarily blanked out as she thought up to that point.
"No need to worry unnecessarily. Just listen to whatever anyone says and let it go. Just wait a little longer."
"So you plan to kill that person."
"If I don't, he'll kill me."
Len's eyes held deep sincerity as well as unmistakable trust and kindness that was hard to miss.
Neris looked at him calmly.
She was not the person he should be looking at with such eyes as a deputy minister.
God.
If he was a priest, it was right to see only the object of faith like this.
Something was seriously wrong. The weight of the ring on her left hand suddenly felt heavier. She naturally couldn't offer any emotional response to Ren, a priest.
Ren didn't miss the confusion showing on Neris's calm and serene face. He openly displayed a look of reverence that dazzled her.
"Now that you know the situation, I'll tell you. Get rid of that arrogant junior and send him to my land. He has many relatives to inherit and take responsibility, so he needs to move forward. The thorny path ahead leads all the way to the sky. But you don't need to get involved there."
"Don't say it like that."
"Why? Do you love that guy?"
Neris's eyes trembled for a moment. Ren's face contorted painfully at the sight of her trembling.
He quickly spoke, as if it would be better to admit it himself rather than hear the word "love" from her lips.
"You love him."
"...Even if I don't love that person, please don't say it like that, Senior. I feel sorry for him. And this marriage is something we both need."
"Unbelievable. No matter what excuses you give, that guy wanted to get his hands on you. Do you know what kind of look that kid had when I talked to you? I'm telling you, no matter how you look at him, I don't like him. I don't think he can keep you safe."
Even hearing those words was meaningless. Neris closed her eyes tightly.
"Do not talk for long. It would weaken your heart. Like the time when she couldn't leave the young and unstable boy alone, she felt a bit of sympathy.
If she couldn't give him anything, she shouldn't leave him with even hope.
"Stop it. I'm not a child anymore, Senior. If you don't plan to help our marriage, don't hinder it. I truly appreciate all the help you've given me so far, but this is something I'm doing with my own thoughts."
When she opened her eyes, both of them instinctively knew that whatever they said now would only hurt each other.
Neris stood up from the chair. At that moment, someone knocked on the door of the prayer room.
"Who is it?"
Ren asked in a soft voice. But anyone who knew him well could sense the tension in his voice.
Father Adams's deep voice came from beyond the door.
"Someone looking for Miss Trued. They say they're a fellow student from the academy."
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
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Rangliste 
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Stein